We, as the residents of Kwa-Thema and as Kwa-Thema Sparks tennis players, would like to bring to your attention the poor conditions of the tennis courts in Masimini, on Shabangu Street.
These poor conditions include the long grass in the parameters of the court, substandard fencing, poor playing court surface and the non-maintenance of the courts.
This has been an ongoing plight for many of the players and the community of Kwa-Thema.
We would like to request that the long grass around the courts be cut and maintained weekly, and we appeal that each court is properly fenced.
For this reason, we as the players are concerned for our safety as the courts are not visible enough from the road and, secondly, we as the players can not spot our balls once they are immersed in the long grass, especially seeing as the courts have no fencing.
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This has been a great issue for many of the players because tennis balls go missing daily, which will eventually result in having no balls with which to play.
The missing balls are costly for the team as many of us come from unprivileged backgrounds and cannot afford to continuously purchase new balls.
Our other great concern is the poor playing surface and the non-maintenance of the courts.
The shoes used on the poor court surface are quickly damaged. This again is a huge financial setback for players, especially those parents/guardians purchasing the shoes as we know tennis shoes are costly.
Banele Gambu, a resident of Masimini, who voluntarily agreed to be the security guard of the tennis courts, reported that due to the fence being stolen and the tennis courts not being visible because of the long grass, the court surfaces are being damaged as individuals come and go as they please.
They throw garbage on the courts, many use the long grass as their lavatory, some find the courts a chilling and drinking location and leave their glass bottles on the playing surface, and the grandstands are not used for tennis spectators.
Gambu suggested the importance of fencing the courts with indestructible material and constantly cutting the grass to make the courts functioning.
He reiterated that due to these concerns, the safety of the players is not guaranteed on the courts.
We as the team would like to witness unity among the community to take care of the courts, to report any unacceptable behaviour on the court and to maintain the courts.
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We plead with the community and the ward councillors to assist us in cutting the grass weekly, in fencing the tennis courts, in maintaining the courts and for the erection of changing rooms with urinal facilities and a clubhouse to store our equipment safely.
We hope our plea to the community can be heard and acted upon. It is high time the residents and ward councillors take responsibility in helping us maintain the courts.
Moses Ngwenya (head coach), Sbusiso Mmusane (Kwa-Thema Sparks team captain) and Mihlali Ngqumshe (secretary).
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